maksai
mah-KSAH-ee
How to say it
Swahilimaksaimah-KSAH-eesoon
Englishox, bullocksoon
Frenchbœuf
Meaning
A castrated bull kept for pulling ploughs and carts rather than for breeding. Oxen were long the main source of farm power in many areas.
Good to know
N class, same form in the plural: maksai wawili, two oxen. Kulima kwa maksai is ox ploughing and gari la maksai an ox cart. Also spelled mahsai.
Examples
- Mkulima alilima shamba lake kwa kutumia maksai wawili.The farmer ploughed his field using two oxen.
- Gari la maksai lilibeba magunia ya mahindi.The ox cart carried sacks of maize.
- Maksai hawa wamefundishwa kuvuta jembe.These oxen have been trained to pull a plough.
Forms
Not yet checked by a native speaker.